science chapter 10 vocab Flashcards
a positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive nuclei; made up of two protons and two neutrons; a helium nucleus
alpha particles
nuclear radiation that occurs naturally in the environment
background radiation
the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy
radioactivity
a state of matter in which atoms have been stripped of their electrons
plasma
a nuclear reaction in which the nuclei of two atoms combine to form a larger nucleus
fusion
the smallest possible mass of a fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction
critical mass
a series of fission reactions triggered by neutrons released during the fission of a nucleus
chain reaction
a nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus is split into two smaller parts
fission
a powerful attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus
strong nuclear force
a subatomic particles theorized to be among the basic units of matter
quark
elements with atomic numbers greater than 92
transuranium elements
the conversion of one element to another through a nuclear reaction
transmutation
the time required for one half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay
half-life
a penetrating form of radiation emitted by an unstable nucleus
gamma ray
an electron emitted by an unstable nucleus
beta particles
